[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 70 (Wednesday, April 11, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 15519-15521]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-07413]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-1206; Product Identifier 2017-NE-42-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Pratt & Whitney (PW) PW2037, PW2037M, and PW2040 turbofan engines. This 
proposed AD was prompted by an uncommanded high thrust event that 
occurred during approach on January 16, 2016, and during landing on 
April 6, 2016. This proposed AD would require removal of the metering 
valve pilot valve (MVPV) within certain fuel control units (FCUs) and 
the MVPV's replacement with a part eligible for installation. We are 
proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 29, 2018.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-

[[Page 15520]]

30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue 
SE, Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this NPRM, contact Pratt & 
Whitney Division, 400 Main St., East Hartford, CT 06118; phone: 800-
565-0140; fax: 860-565-5442. You may view this service information at 
the FAA, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA. For information on the availability of this material at 
the FAA, call 781-238-7759.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
1206; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket 
contains this NPRM, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, 
and other information. The street address for the Docket Office (phone: 
800-647-5527) is listed above. Comments will be available in the AD 
docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kevin M. Clark, Aerospace Engineer, 
ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 
781-238-7088; fax: 781-238-7199; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA- 2017-1206; 
Product Identifier 2017-NE-42-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. 
We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date and may amend this NPRM because 
of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this NPRM.

Discussion

    We received reports of an uncommanded high thrust event that 
occurred during approach on January 16, 2016, and during landing on 
April 6, 2016, due to loosening of the MVPV end cap. These uncommanded 
events were associated with improper maintenance on the MVPV within 
certain FCUs. This proposed AD would require removal of the MVPV for 
certain FCUs. This condition, if not addressed, could result in failure 
of the FCU, loss of engine thrust control, and reduced control of the 
airplane.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed PW Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) PW2000 A73-172, dated 
October 16, 2017. The ASB describes procedures for replacement of the 
MVPV for certain FCUs. This service information is reasonably available 
because the interested parties have access to it through their normal 
course of business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

FAA's Determination

    We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require replacement of the MVPV for certain 
FCU serial numbers, except as discussed under ``Differences Between 
this Proposed AD and the Service Information.''

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information

    PW ASB PW2000 A73-172, dated October 16, 2017, specifies 
installation of a new UTC Aerospace Systems MVPV in certain FCUs. This 
AD sets forth an option to repair a MVPV to be installed in certain 
FCUs according to the criteria listed in paragraph h(2)(ii) of this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 212 engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry. We estimate the following costs to comply 
with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
                   Action                        Labor cost       Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Remove and replace MVPV.....................              $0          $12,000          $12,000       $2,544,000
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Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.
    This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the 
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by 
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is 
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but 
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the 
authority to issue ADs applicable to engines, propellers, and 
associated appliances to the Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards 
Branch, Policy and Innovation Division.

Regulatory Findings

    We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not 
have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship 
between the national Government and the States, or on the distribution 
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.

[[Page 15521]]

    For the reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed 
regulation:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

Pratt & Whitney: Docket No. FAA-2017-1206; Product Identifier 2017-
NE-42-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by May 29, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Pratt & Whitney (PW) PW2037, PW2037M, and 
PW2040 turbofan engines with JFC104-1 fuel control units (FCUs) with 
serial numbers listed in the Accomplishment Instructions, Table 1, 
of PW Alert Service Bulletin PW2000 A73-172, dated October 16, 2017.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7321, Fuel Control/
Turbine Engines.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by an uncommanded high thrust event that 
occurred during approach on January 16, 2016, and during landing on 
April 6, 2016. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the end 
cap to remain taut, causing uncommanded higher fuel flow to the 
engine. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in 
failure of the FCU, loss of engine thrust control and reduced 
control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Required Actions

    Remove from service the metering valve pilot valve (MVPV) from 
the FCU at the next FCU overhaul after the effective date of the AD 
and replace the MVPV with a part eligible for installation.

(h) Definitions

    (1) For the purpose of this AD, an FCU overhaul is defined as 
the removal of the FCU from the engine and induction of the FCU into 
a FCU shop that can perform these procedures regardless of the 
scheduled maintenance action or the reason for the FCU removal.
    (2) For the purpose of this AD, a part eligible for installation 
is one of the following:
    (i) A zero time MVPV, or
    (ii) An MVPV repaired by a method approved by the FAA that 
includes an end plug with tamper proof features.

(i) Installation Prohibition

    After the effective date of this AD, do not install any MVPV 
removed in accordance with paragraph (g) unless it has been repaired 
per paragraph (h)(2)(ii) of this AD.

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, ECO Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve 
AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your 
principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as 
appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the 
certification office, send it to the attention of the person 
identified in paragraph (k)(1) of this AD. Information may be 
emailed to: [email protected].
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(k) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Kevin M. Clark, 
Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7088; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Pratt 
& Whitney Division, 400 Main St., East Hartford, CT 06118; phone: 
800-565-0140; fax: 860-565-5442. You may view this referenced 
service information at the FAA, Engine and Propeller Standards 
Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7759.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on April 5, 2018.
Robert J. Ganley,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-07413 Filed 4-10-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P